It's so très chic, with all its French trappings like lovelies modeling bathing suits on the beach and compact little Euro cars zipping around the narrow streets. Even most of the visitors are French, escaping their Paris ennui by descending en masse to their treasured little butterfly island deep in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Guadeloupe shines among the family of Caribbean islands as an affluent and self-assured country with cosmopolitan flair bordered by beaches and coral reefs on one wing and open lands with the verdant, volcanic peaks of the Parc National on the other ... More
It's so très chic, with all its French trappings like lovelies modeling bathing suits on the beach and compact little Euro cars zipping around the narrow streets. Even most of the visitors are French, escaping their Paris ennui by descending en masse to their treasured little butterfly island deep in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Guadeloupe shines among the family of Caribbean islands as an affluent and self-assured country with cosmopolitan flair bordered by beaches and coral reefs on one wing and open lands with the verdant, volcanic peaks of the Parc National on the other. The eastern wing, Grand-Terre, is dry, flat, and sandy with the best beaches in the country, which of course led to the development of its many restaurants, casinos, resorts, and clubs. Basse-Terre, the western wing, is wild, wet, and mountainous, and though it once went largely unnoticed by visitors, it now hosts streams of whale-watchers, hikers, divers, and deep-sea anglers.
Only about 10% of the island is supported by tourism, relying still on its great success with sugar. At harvest time, the fields stir with workers cutting cane the old-fashioned way with machetes. Bringing together the best of its combined European and Caribbean heritage, Guadeloupe is an interesting mix of urban buzz and pristine scenery, suffused with an irresistible Creole flair.
New York City 5.5 hrs
Miami 3.75 hrs
Philadelphia 5.25 hrs
Boston 6 hrs
Los Angeles 9 hrs
Chicago 6.25 hrs
Dallas-Fort Worth 5.5 hrs
San Francisco 9.5 hrs
Basse-Terre: This is the name of both the western wing of the island and its main city, which is the administrative capital of Guadeloupe and it maintains some very pretty, authentic buildings of the colonial period. Some favorites are the 17th-century cathedral, and the 17th-century Fort Louis Delgrès, well-preserved with ramparts and bastions. It is a charming port town of narrow streets and pretty squares with palms and tamarind trees, in a lovely setting between the sea and the great La Soufrière volcano. Market day is Saturday.
Grand-Terre: On this wing is Pointe-à-Pitre, the colorful and bustling capital of the butterfly island, though unfortunately most of its early colonial buildings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1843. Nowadays it is a mixture of styles, some of which are Caribbean and others, which seem transplanted from provincial France. On the southwest shore is Gosier, the holiday center with many hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. This pleasant place has a marvelous picnic spot overlooking the small Plage de l'Anse Canot beach, and a little island just offshore with a lighthouse to which you can swim.
La Désirade: Just an hour's boat trip from Saint-François, this island appears on the horizon like a ship run aground on a sandbar. The land is mountainous and rocky, and of all its sister islands is the least influenced by tourism, which helps account for the cordial welcome extended to its few visitors. There are little fishing villages and some beautiful, empty beaches to discover on foot or rented bikes and scooters. The genuine good nature of the locals is a boon for those seeking an alternative to the bustle of tourism on bigger islands
Les Saintes: Among the most beautiful Caribbean islands, the scenery here resounds like a tropical opera. Terre de Haut lies on a splendid bay with a "sugar loaf" resembling the one in Rio. There are few cars, and the best way tovisit is to rent a bike or a scooter, or walk. Soak in the sun and surf on the pristine beaches or visit Fort Napoleon's exhibits and iguanas. Climb up the Chameau for a magnificent panoramic view that well rewards the effort!
Marie-Galante: Taking its name from Columbus' caravel, this is the biggest of the out islands, reachable by a one-hour boat ride from the mainland. Take a stroll along well-marked paths into a lovely and historic landscape scattered with windmills and ruins of sugar refineries. The beaches are the most beautiful of Guadeloupe.
La Petite-Terre: These gorgeous islands south of Pointe des Chateaux are inhabited only by iguanas. Get there by sailboat for snorkeling along deserted beaches. This small land has been a nature reserve since 1994, so hunting and fishing are forbidden.
Guadeloupe is an archipelago of several islands, including Guadeloupe proper (Basse-Terre) and Grande-Terre (separated from Basse-Terre by a narrow sea channel). Basse-Terre has a rough volcanic relief with a mountainous interior and Grande-Terre is a low limestone base with rolling hills and flat plains. Most of the other islands are volcanic in origin, and all have beautiful white- or black-sand, palmed beaches.
A tropical climate tempered by trade winds prevails, keeping the weather warm year-round. Winter evenings can actually be cool, and summer brings the rainy season. Average yearly air temperatures range between 75° and 88°, and water temperatures average 72°. The heart of hurricane season lasts from late August to early November, though strikes are rare and there is plenty of advance notice to prepare. When threatened by a hurricane strike, one should expect a 2-day displacement from evacuation to safe return.
The Caribbean is a year-round destination, but there are "high" and "low" seasons when crowd size can change significantly. December to April is the high season, when the greatest number of people visit and the least amount of rain falls, as well as the time when the sun is most mild. The low season, from April to December, brings an increase in rain, stronger sun, and a decrease in crowds. Most cultural events take place in spring and summer.
French heritage mixed with tropical island life gives Guadeloupe its European sophistication softened by a laid-back Caribbean sensibility. It is an affluent country with first-rate resorts and restaurants, spas, and a host of outdoor fun like scuba diving, snorkeling, world-championship golf, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, sailing, surfing, and tennis. This French Antilles island even has aéro clubs where you can rent Cessnas. Still other attractions include forts, museums, and the Caribbean's largest aquarium.
Scuba Diving: Though there are many sites to explore, you should definitely head for Pigeon Island, the most fantastic dive site in Guadeloupe which was named by Jacques Cousteau as one of his Top 10 in the World! Visibility exceeds 100 feet and its natural surrounding reefs and rich depths suit all skill levels.
Beaches: Excellent black- and white-sand beaches for swimming and surfing can be found mostly between Gosier and St Francois on Grand-Terre. Petit Havre is popular with locals for its small coves, offshore reefs, and seafood hut. The best beach is probably at St Anne where the fine white sand and crystal clear water make idyllic bathing conditions. There are some good beaches on Basse-Terre as well, like Plage Caraïbe south of Pointe Noire on the west coast, which is clean, calm, and beautiful, with a restaurant, picnic facilities, and bath/shower rooms.
Hiking: The National Park of Guadeloupe provides 186 miles of marked trails in the mountains of Basse-Terre which lead you into a beautiful rain forest to explore the world of tropical animals and plants. There are also various excursions on Grande-Terre like hiking through the mangrove or along the cliffs of the Atlantic coast. Whichever direction you take, you'll encounter natural wonders like waterfalls, enormous trees, and volcanoes.
Golfing: The International Golf Course, created by award-winning designer Robert Trent Jones, has 18 holes spread out under coconut trees and royal palm trees, at no more than a 7 iron's distance from the white, sandy beach of the Saint-Francois lagoon and with walking distance of many hotels. The Clubhouse has a restaurant, snack bar, and Pro shop. Clubs, caddies, and electric carts are available for hire.
Day Trip to St Martin: The smallest territory in the world to be partitioned between two sovereign nations, St Martin has been shared by the French and the Dutch in neighborly friendship for almost 350 years. It's known for traditional European elegance combined with modern fun like scuba diving, an energetic nightlife, and just about the best duty-free shopping in the Caribbean. The perfect beaches are secluded, the luxury resorts have lavish accommodations, and the restaurants serve some of the finest dining in the Caribbean.
Day Trip to Saint-Barthélémy: Known as the island that is posh enough to attract top celebrities and still accessible to the family traveler, its picturesque beaches, top of the line French cuisine, and European boutiques help give St Bart's its style and grace. Since there are few private areas on this island, celebrity spotting is common. In fact, all the beaches are public domain, so you may just find yourself sunbathing next to Ben Affleck! Gustavia, the capital, retains a hint of Swedish culture leftover from their occupancy over a hundred years ago.
Horseback Riding: Several stables and riding schools, like Le Criolo in St Felix and the Poney Club in Le Moule host tours through the backcountry and picnic excursions to accommodate young and old, expert and novice. A ride through the surf never fails to be remembered as a peak experience!
Deep Sea Fishing: The water off Guadeloupe is teeming with large game fish perfect for a day of challenging sport. Winter is the season for kingfish, tuna, mahi mahi, barracuda, and bonito.
Windsurfing: This sport is so popular on this island that prestigious international windsurfing events are regularly held on the island, such as the Ronde du Rhum and Funboard World Cup. Lessons and rentals are available at most beachfront hotels.
Fort Fleur d'Epée: This 18th-century fortress, which once guarded the east approaches to Pointe-à-Pitre, now serves as a pleasant and restful place, with shady gardens within the ramparts and art exhibits in the officers' quarters and underground rooms. A hint of its original atmosphere can still be experience in the dungeons.
Flying: Aéro clubs like Les Ailes Guadeloupéennes at Raizet Airport and Air Loisirs in St Francois rent 2- and 4-seater Cessnas and offer instruction as well as sightseeing tours. Ultra-light seaplane tours are also available from Gosier and St Francois beaches.
Shopping: The open-air and covered marketplaces are among the most popular attractions in Pointe-à-Pitre, fun and interesting not only for their multi-colored and many scented-treasures, but also because of the animated exchanges of the tradeswomen garbed in festive madras. These animated bazaars contrast nicely with the chic boutiques that offer excellent buys on luxury items such as perfume, china, crystal, and more with "Made in France" labels.
Guadeloupe Aquarium: This newly refurbished aquarium on Grande-Terre is the grandest in the Caribbean and ranks as the third best in all of France. Excellent exhibits feature everything from tiny fish to giant sharks.
Guadeloupe has two main styles of cooking that represent both its French heritage and its Creole colonialism. Haute cuisine Française is traditional continental, while the cuisine Créole makes spectacular use of African methods and distinctly Caribbean ingredients, like local seafood and vegetables such as christophenes and plantains. Favorite appetizers are accras (codfish fritters) and crabes farcis (stuffed land crabs). Langouste (lobster) and lambi (conch) are widely available, as is souchy, a Tahitian version of sushi. The island has more than 700 restaurants serving local as well as French, Italian, African, Indian, Vietnamese, and South American food. The local drink is 'ti punch, a innocent-sounding concoction of rum, lime juice, and sugarcane syrup that packs, appropriately, quite a punch!
Gourmet: Château de Feuilles serves some of the best meals in Guadeloupe. The country setting is stylish and the very definition of relaxation - while waiting for your meal you can take a dip in the pool or stroll around the 2-acre farm! For an aperitif, you can choose from about 20 punch concoctions. The changing menu includes velvety sea urchin pâté and kingfish fillet with vanilla. For dessert, try the pineapple flan. Route Campêche
Highly Recommended: Restaurant Villa Fleur d'Epée is owned by celebrated chef Thierry Larade, who honed his talent cooking for politicians and celebrities in Paris. His cooking blends flavors from around the world for such creations as Nordic shellfish with sliced bamboo and sweet cream sauce or foie gras of duck flavored with curry. Situated next to an 18th-century fortress, your view is a stunning panorama across the Caribbean to Les Saintes, Marie Galante, and Dominica. Rue du Fort Fleur d'Epée
Local Flair: Nilce's Bar is the dominion of the barefoot beach crowd who flock all day to this piano bar and restaurant occupying a large Creole house right on the waterfront. Come any time of day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a wide selection of ice creams. Local musicians perform Brazilian, French, and Creole music. Bourg, Terre-de-Haut
Romantic: Auberge de Vielle Tour is built at the base of an 18th-century windmill and runs parallel to the sea atop a ridge. The sea-side patio offers tremendous views, particularly of the sunset, and large comfortable wicker furniture. A garden atrium and the rare Guadeloupean treat of air-conditioning add a delightful touch to the romantic ambiance and classical French/creative Creole menu. A jazz band entertains most of the week, followed by a piano player on Sunday. Gosier
Guadeloupe has nightspots galore, with discos and nightclubs in the larger hotels, and a variety of piano and jazz bars at the Bas du Fort Marina. Some hotels offer dinner dancing and performances by folkloric troupes, and the popular dance music is zouk, performed regularly by many local groups. The island's famous traditional dance is the Biguine, lovely to behold as the performers
Clubs: The hot clubs these days are mostly around Gosier, like Le Wallis, La Cascade, Le Zenith, and New Land. Other great spots are the gleaming Le Shiva in Le Moule, and La Plantation, which is a very chic spot in Gourbeyre on the Basse-Terre side of the island.
Casinos: Two casinos are open nightly with extended hours on weekends, one in Gosier and the other in St Francois. High and low stakes gamers can try their luck with blackjack, roulette, and the slot machines.
Carnival: All over the island, but especially on Pointe-à-Pitre, locals and visitors alike join in or watch events like a Sunday parade, comical burlesque marriage ceremonies on Monday, and devil-costumed crowds carrying on in the streets. February - March
Mi-Careme: Sacrifice and self-deprivation are the practice during Lent, and this feast was created to provide a respite from its rigors. For one day in the middle of Lent, Guadeloupe indulges in wine, rum, feasting, and dancing. March
Guadeloupan Open Championship By Category: This double elimination competition includes surf and body board events for Seniors and Juniors. April
Fete De La Musique Traditionelle: This three-day party celebrates Guadeloupe's musical styles like qwo ka, to tamtam, and cadence. May
Fete Des Qwo Ka: A percussion party on the beach like none other, this festival of the big drums celebrates qwo ka, an African-derived form of rhythmic drumming. July
Fete Des Cuisinieres (Chefs Festival): With France as its mother country, food naturally plays a central role in Guadeloupe. This festival proudly celebrates the culinary culture of the French West Indies with island specialties brought in baskets to the fairgrounds by Creole-costumed women. Don't expect a leisurely sit-down meal - the cooks demand that you sing and dance for your supper! August
Tour de la Guadeloupe: Cycling on the island is a big deal. Every year Guadeloupe hosts the "Tour de France" of the Western Hemisphere, and the locals train year-round. If you're good enough to compete, you're welcome to join the race. The route comprises well-paved roads but there are no shoulders. August
Creole Music Festival: Don your dancing shoes and spend a day swinging to the rhythm at a series of Creole concerts held at in local Arts Center. November
Tour of the World des Alizés: The dreams of many amateur yachtsmen come true in this regatta, which sails the 7 seas as part of a flotilla "safety-net," yet facing the challenge of a cruise-race. The Guadeloupe leg of the world-wide event usually in November.
Guadeloupe is a vacation island and casual resort attire is appropriate year-round, although some restaurants require men to wear jackets and ties. You may want to bring a light pullover for cooler winter evenings. Swimwear and bare backs to the beaches.
We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.
Sun & Heatstroke: The Caribbean sun can be harsh, especially in summer, so wear plenty of sunblock and a hat. Also, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
French is the official language, though natives actually speak a Creole patois in their daily lives. English is spoken within the tourism industry.
Current runs on 220 volts/60 cycles, with European outlets. American appliances require adapters.
Entry: A valid US passport is required.
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: Effective January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including US citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to US citizens traveling to or returning directly from a US territory. US citizens returning directly from a US territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. US territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Guadeloupe Customs: Visitors over the age of 17 may import, duty-free, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages; 50g of perfume; and 250ml of eau de toilette. Prohibited items include plants and plant products, food products of animal origin from Africa and Haiti, and pharmaceutical products, except those prescribed for personal use.
US Customs: Receipt of a customs declaration form upon returning to the United States from a Caribbean Basin country is standard for United States Citizens. The form gives the traveler the legal right to bring back up to $800 worth of duty-free merchandise. This may include 1 liter of alcohol, 5 cartons of cigarettes, and 100 cigars. The importation of Cuban tobacco products is strictly prohibited and punishable by heavy fines and/or criminal prosecution.
US Consulate: There is no US Consulate in Guadeloupe, so for any diplomatic needs, contact the US consular office in Barbados at: ALICO Building (Cheapside), Lower Broad Street
Bridgetown, Barbados, phone 1-246-431-0225.
Guadeloupe Office du Tourisme: BP 422, 5 Square de la Banque, 97163, Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, phone 820-930, fax 838-922, email office.tourisme.guadeloupe@wanadoo.fr
French Government Tourist Offices:
California: 9454 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 715, Beverly Hills, CA 90212-2967, phone 1-310-271-6665, fax 1-310-276-2835, email fgto@gte.net
Chicago: 676 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 3360, Chicago, IL 60611-2819, phone 1-312-751-7800, fax 1-312-337-6339, email fgto@mcs.net